A microelectrode for continuous monitoring of glucose concentration in isolated perfused tubule segments

The design and the application of a micro-enzyme-electrode for continuous monitoring of glucose concentration in the isolated tubule preparation is described. The principle of the electrode is the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide, which is a product of the oxidation of D-glucose by glucose oxidase immobilized at the tip of a micro-electrode. The resulting current causes a voltage deflection across a resistor in series with the electrode that is correlated directly with the glucose concentration. The electrode response to glucose is almost linear over the concentration range from 0 to 12 mmol/l with a slightly diminished slope in the higher range. Other sugars (12 mmol/l raffinose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, mannitol), pH (from 6.5 to 8.0) and pCO2 (from 1 to 10 kPa) do not influence the reading. A reduction of pO2 in the test solution to 1 kPa blunts the reading. Raising the temperature from 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C leads to a pronounced increase of the voltage deflection at a given glucose concentration. Interference is observed with strongly reducing agents such as L-cysteine, ascorbic acid and uric acid. At defined conditions the electrode is well suited to measure continuously glucose concentration in the luminal fluid at the collection site of the isolated perfused tubule of the kidney. Experiments are presented which illustrate the performance of the glucose electrode in this isolated tubule set-up. Peritubular reduction of potassium concentration or the application of ouabain diminish glucose reabsorption.